Vegetable cutter



Nov. 13, 1928. 1,691,483

M. KERY VEGETABLE CUTTER Filed Jan. 21, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

+ 1322/ A TTORNEYS.

Nov. 13, 1928.

M. KERY VEGETABLE CUTTER Filed Jan. 21. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR fdwaz'r BY T 76.: 2 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 13, 1928. 1

UNITED STATES MARTIN KER/Y, OF ST. OATHERINES, ONTARIO, CANADA.

VEGETABLE CUTTER.

Application filed January 21, 1927. Serial No. 162,549. I

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in vegetable cutters, and has more particular reference to a device of this kind particularly serviceable for use in slicing cabbages for making cold slaw and for analogous uses. i

The primary object of the invention is to provide a vegetable cutter ofthe above kind which is extremely simple and durable in construction as well as efhcient in use.

A further object is to provide a vegetable cutter of the above kind tiat may be con veniently and effectively operated by foot power.

Still another object is to provide avegetable cutter of the above kind that may be readily converted for being operated by either hand or foot power, as found most desirable or convenient.

Other objects will become apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, and the same consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings and claimed.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, I

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a vegstable cutter constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof, partly in section;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the device shown in Figure 2 with parts omitted, and showing the means for permitting hand or foot actuation of the cutter carrying disk; v

Figure l is an enlarged fragmentary vertical transverse sectional view, taken upon line l-i of Figure 2, with parts omitted;

Figure 5 is an enlarged side elevational view of the cutter blade carrying disk; and

Figure 6 is a view partly in vertical section and partly in side elevation, illustrating the cutter carrying plate and the funnel member of the device of Figures 1 to 4 inclusive removed from the table top or plat form of the device shown in the latter figures and supported by a barrel for hand operation. T

Referring more in detail to the drawings, theembodiment of the invent-ion illustrated includes an elongated platform or table top 5 supported in a horizontal position and at a required elevation by means of corner supporting legs 6, the upper ends of which I of the platform 5 is provided with a relatively large rectangular opening 8 within which is removably fitted a supporting plate or platform section 9. This plate or platform section 9 is properly supported withinthe opening 8 by providing the upper portions of the wall of the opening 8 with a continuous rabbet so asto define a. continuous horizontal shoulder upon which rests the continuous marginal flange 9'? of the plate or platform section 9. As shown more clearly in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, the platform 5 is provided with a lateral slot at one side thereof intermediate the ends of the opening 8, and the plate or section 9 has a lateral extension 10 fitting and supported inv thisslot, the purpose of which will presently become apparent. I

The plate or platform section 9 is provided with a central longitudinally elongated slot 11 through which projects a vertical cutter-knife carrying disk 12, and this disk 12 is carried by a transverse horizontal shaft journaled upon the underside of the plate or platform section 9 at a point intermediate the ends of the slot 11. In order that the disk 12 may be readily removable for renewal or repair purposes, its supporting shaft is preferably constructed of a pair of sections 13 and 13*, one of which is removably journaled' in a pair of transversely aligned bearings 14 and 14* at each side of the slot 11, the shaft sections having squared inner ends as at 15 removably fitting in the-correspondingly shaped axial opening of the hub 16 of the disk 12. 'As 1 tudinal edges of which are removably secured the radial cutting blades 19 that are secured to'one side of the disk 12 as clearly shown in Figure 5, o The blades 19 are preferably fastened tothe left hand side of the disk 12, and carried by the plate or platsurrounds the slot 11 and the lower portion form section 9-, at the same side of the disk 12, is a tray 20 having its inner end open and adapted to receive and guide the vegetables as they are placed and fed manually toward the adjacent side of the disk 12 for being sliced upon rotation of said disk.

It will be noted that the extension 10 supports the outer bearing let ofthe shaft section 13 and the latter shaft section projects outwardly beyond the extension 10 at this side of the machine where it has a spur opinion 21 fixed thereon. The bearings 1 1- and 14 of the shaft section 13? are provided with dependin shaft hangers equipped with aligned bearings 22 at their lower ends, and journaled in these aligned bearings 22 is a horizontal transversely positioned crank shaft upon the projecting outer end of which is fixed a relatively large spur gear 23 meshing with and disposed beneath the pinion 21.

The outer end of the crank shaft may also be adapted for removable engagement by a hand crank 2 1 to permit actuation of the cutter carrying disk by hand when found desirable.

The intermediate portion of the crank shaft supported in the bearings 22 is provided with a pair of oppositely directed cranks 25, and removably engaged with these cranks are a pair of depending links 26 which are pivoted at their lower ends to the forward ends of treadles or foot levers 27. Each foot lever is connected to a separate link 26, and is hinged at its rear end to a rear leg connecting brace, as at 28, for vertical swinging movement. As shown clearly in Figure 1, the foot levers or treadles 27 are respectively mounted adjacent opposite longitudinal edges of the platform or table top 5, and the rear end portion of the latter is reduced in width intermediate its end as at 29 to define a relatively wide rear end portion 30, of the platform 5, suitable for use as a seat to be occupied by the operator in a position facing the cutter blade carrying disk 12, so that the operator will be properly seated for convenient actuation of the treadles 27 in causing rotation of the cutter'carrying disk. By providing the-reduced portion 29, leg clearance is had so that the operator may comfortably straddle this portion of the platform for actuation of the treadles. In order that the cranks 25 1nay be formed upon a crank shaft mounted at the one side of the cutter knife carrying disk, the pedal 27 at one side of the platform is provided with a lateral offset at its forward end portion as indicated at 31.

Rigidly fastened to the underside of the plate or platform section 9 is a tapering funnel member or open'bottom hopper 32 that receive the cut vegetable as it is sliced'by' the knives 19 and drops through the slot 11 and funnel member 82.

In operation, the operator is seated upon the seat portion 30 of the platform with one foot upon each pedal 27. He then places the vegetables upon the tray 9 and operates the pedals so as to cause continuous rotation of disk 12 at a relatively high speed due to the increase speed gearing formed by the gears 21 and 23. The vegetables are then fed transversely by one hand toward the cutter carrying disk, the same being quickly sliced by the successive engagement of the cutting knives 19 therewith. As the portions are cut from the cabbage or other vegetables, they will fall through the slot 11 and hopper or funnel member 32 into the receptacle placed for their collection.

Should it be found more desirable to actuate the disk 12 by hand and while in a It is therefore apparent that the funnel member 32 which is carried by the plate 9 may be placed in the open top of a barrel 33 as shown in Figure 6 so that the cutting unit thus removed from the platform 5 will be supported by this barrel. Rotation of thecutter may then be readily effected by manipulation of the hand crank 241. Otherwise the general operation is the same as described above in connection with the use of the treadles 27.

From the foregoing description it is believed that the construction and operation as well as the advantages of the present invention will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art.

- Minor changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim as new is A vegetable cutter comprising an elevated platform, said platform including a ri'gid 

